Napkin folding machine



April 29, 1941. P. BURKE ETAL NAPKIN FOLDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Nov. 1, 1932 INVENTORS I John Edwardlocr Burke ATT RN April 29, 1941. P BURKE Erm.

i NAPKIH FOLDING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. l, 1932 lNvENToRS John Edward 520556)* Paul Burke April 29, 1941. P. BURKE ErAl.

NAFKIN FOLDING MACHINE original Filed Nov. V1, 1932 4 sheets-sheet :5

. INVENTORS John Edward loer ATTORNEY April 29, 1941. P. BURKE Erm. Re# 21,785

1 ,nrxgln Fpwmc- MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 1, 1952 4 Sheet's-Sheet 4 INVENTORS John Eahvardlosser Paul urjfe web, operates continuously.

while the web is stationary.

'Ressued Apr. 2.9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NAPKIN FOLDING MACHINE Paul Burke, South Glens Falls, and John Edwardy Blosser, Glens Falls, N. Y., assignors, 'by mesne assignments, to International Tissue Corp., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York n Original No. 1,992,179, dated February 26, 1935, l Serial No. 640,582, November 1, 1932. Application for reissue Octobe 12 claims. Our invention relates -to a machine for fold- Ving., vassembling and Asevering paper napkins,

facial tissues, and the like.

As is well known, papel-'napkins and facial tissues usually comprise rectangular sections cut from a web of cellulosic material suitable for the use to which the napkin or tissue is intended to be put. Especially in the case of facial tissues this cellulosic material or paper is very thin, soft, possesses little strength, and must be handled very carefully while itis being folded and prepared for packaging. These sections or a plurality thereof are folded and a considerr 25, 1940, Serial No.

(Cl. T- 41) able number of such folded napkins or tissues are 1 packaged together as a unit.

Heretofore much of the labor incidental to the folding, 'assembling and severing of such napkins or tissues has either been accomplished manually or by the use of machines of limited output, and it is therefore an object of our present invention to provide apparatus for folding, assembling and severing napkins, tissues, or the like, which is simple, rapid and well suited to the characteristics of the soft cellulosic material to be handled f therein. l l 1,

`Clur invention has for further objects numerous detailed improvements in construction and operative advantages as will hereinafter be found to obtain.

Our invention contemplates means for con- 'n tinuously drawing a plurality of webs from a corresponding number of rolls of suitable material, folding and advancing the same to assemble a combined web of a considerable number of individual folded webs, and means for cutting the combined web in convenient lengths.

In order to properly sever the combined web and obtain a straight cut, it is desirable to have 'the web, stationary with rpect to the shearing device at the moment of severing. However, the cellulosic material is usually supplied in rolls which are of considerable size and inertia and which would be difficult to unwind in an inter` mittent manner. Consequently, according to our invention, that portion of the apparatus which serves to draw, the individualI webs from the several rolls to fold the web and combine the individual folded webs into a `single combined` Once formed, the combined web is transferred to an intermittently operating conveying device which carries'the combined web past the point of shear, the severing operation vtaking place We further provide a suitable rest or guide for y of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, taken along the combined web lying between the continuously operatingfolder and combiner and the subsequent intermittently operating conveyory which carries the combined web through the shearing station. l

In order that our invention may be clearly set forth and understood in its several aspects, we now describe with reference to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, a preferred manner in which our invention may be embodied and utilized. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side-elevational view of a machine for folding, assembling and severing napkins constructed in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 visa. vertical sectional view of a portion the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in the preceding igures,Y

taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a further portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 5, taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; l

Fig. 7 is ya vertical sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, taken along the llneI--T of Fis'. 6;

and assembling end indicated generally by the character of reference A, and a severing and delivery-end indicated generally by the'charactei" of reference B. The napkins or tissues are drawn from a plurality of rolls i of suitable material and pass around rolls 2 onto a plurality of inclined conveyors 3 which are provided with means for folding the web indicated generally by l the reference numeral 4.

The webs thenpass under rollers 5 onto a 2 n ames main assembly conveyor I. the various webs being fed serially to the conveyor I in accordance with the lengthof the conveyor I and the number of rolls and feeding conveyors I-provided therefor.

At the forward end of -the conveyor I the combined folded web passes upward over a curved guide or supporting plate l into the grip of belts I and I, which advance intermittently. Im mediately after leaving the grip of the belts I and I, and while the combined web is in a stationary position, the combined web is severed by means of a rotating'shear II which is caused to traverse the web at each interval betweensuccessive forward motions of the web through the severing and delivery end B.y The combined severed lengths of folded material. which now compriseindividual bundles of folded napkins. or tissues, are then delivered by means of an intermittently operating conveyor I2 onto a table II where they are packaged by an operator singly or in bundles, as desired.

The details of the folding apparatus I and the manner in which it cooperates with the conveyors I and I are best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring to these gures. each of the conveyor belts 3 passes over pulleys II and II located opposite the rolls 2 and I, respectively, and is driven through appropriate gears II from a drive n shaft II at a speed identical with that of the conveyor I.

The web of cellulosic paper or tissue passes between the roller 2 and the belt I passing over the pulley II, then leaves the belt I .to pass over a.y roller 2I which is elevated above the belt I. Under the combined influence of the roller I and lthe belt I the web is then drawn downwardlover a forming plate 2|, supported immediately above the upper surface of the belt I by means of a rod 22 mounted in brackets 23 upon an inclined plate 2I which serves to support the upper portion of the belt I.

The forward end ZI ofeach of the forming plates 2| is curved upwardly to receive the web moving downward from the roller 2l. The width of each of the forming plates 2| is made equal to the desired width of the folded napkiny or tissue.

As the web passes over the roller 2I and downward under the forming plate 2| the outer edges of the web encounter forming plates II of more or less triangular shape, so located with respect to the web that they cause the outer edges of the web to be folded inward over the upper surface of the forming plate 2|. I'he plates II may conveniently be mountyd ...upon the rod 22 as shown.

'I'he folded web of material then passes downward past the end of the forming plate 2| under the roller I and onto the moving conveyor belt I. the upper surface of whichis supportedupon a plate II having vertical sides I2 adapted to act as guides Afor the moving web. having a diameter a little larger than the minimum distance between any of the belts I and th upper surface of the belt I may be provided, as shown..to assist in combining the several webs on the conveyor I.

Motive power for conveyors I and I is supplied by. means of a motor II and a speed reducer II which through a sprocket chain I1 drives a shaft II. 'I'he shaft II |sin turn connected by means of a suitable 'sprocket chain II to a variable speed regulator II of well known type. The

mecd regulator II in turn drives a shaft II 75 Free rollers II through a sprocket chain I2 andthe shaft II is in turn connected by means of a sprocket chain II, a shaft II and suitable gearing II to the main drive shaft II. The pulleys II of the conveyors I are driven from the shaft II by means of suitable gearing II.

By means of r. regulating handle I1, the speed regulator II may be adjusted to give a considerable range in the ratio of the speed of the chain I'I to the speedof the conveyors I and I, and this ratio is so adjusted that the combined web is fed to the severing end B at exactly the proper speed.

The plate I is preferably curved, as shown, to provide for the frequent periods in which the upper end of the combined web entering the grip of the belts I and I is stationary, while the combined web being fed onto the plate 1 by means oi' the conveyor I is moving forward continuously. Curved as shown in the drawings, the plate l permits the combined web to buckle sufilciently to accommodate the periodic fluctuations caused by this manner of operation of the two ends of the machine, without, however, injuring the material or allowing the folded webs to be opened up or disarranged.

The belt I is constituted of three sections traveling in grooves II in pulleys II and I2, whereas the belt I is single and passes over pulleys II fastened at its lower end to a shaft II. A rackA II mounted between rollers II carries a pin I1 adapted to engage a slot II in the upper. end of the arm II. As the shaft II rotates, the rotation of the pin II swings the arm II backward and forward about the shaft II, thus reciprocating the rack II.

A pinion II isv mounted upon one end of la' f shaft II which carries the pulley I2, and meshes with the teeth of the rack II. 'I'he pinion II -drives the shaft I| through a ratchet device or one-way clutch I2, the arrangement being such that during one-half revolution of the shaft II.

, the rack causes the shaft Il and pulley I2 to rotate, while during the -next half revolution of the shaft II. the shaft II remains; stationary. The shaft Il is thus caused to rotate intermittently.

The pulley II and belt I are driven from the shaft II by means of a sprocket chain II which passes over yan idle sprocket II. The'shaft II also drives the pulley II and belt I2 through a sprocket chain II. Thus. the belts I, I and I2 advance in a series of intermittent forward movements. By means of the regulator II, the speed of the conveyors I and AI' is adjusted to equal the average speed of the belts I, I and I2.

'Ihe shaft II also serves to operate the' shear II. Through bevel 'gears 1I. the shaft II drives ashaft 'II-carryingawheel 'I2 havingapinlI which is pivotally connected to the lower end of an arm '|I. The upper end of the arm 'II is pivotally connected toa frame 1I one end of which is pivotally connected to a shaft 'II and the other end of which carries a shaft 'Il on which is mounted the shear blade I`I. As the wheel 'I2 rotates. thearm 'II causes the shear blade II to traverse the combined web at a point between vthe belts I and I2.

The blade I is driven bya belt II which passes over a pulley II on the shaft I1 and a pulley I2 s.` pulley B3 by means of a sleeve Il, the pulleys I2 and I3 and the sleeve ll rotating freely about the shaftlll. The pulley 83 is in turn connected by a belt l5 to a pulley IB on" a shaft l1 driven by a motor 83. Thus, the shear blade II rotates independently of the position of the lframe 15.

Support for the combined web at the moment and place of severing is provided lby means of a trough-shaped vplate Sli locatedbetween the pulleys 42 and 45. 'I'he plate 90 is supported by means of a. pair of curved arms 9|, the upper surfaces of which are made flush with the upper and outer surfaces of the plate 50. The arms 9i are attached at the ends opposite the plate 90 to' a rod or shaft 92, the ends of which are in turn fastened to lugs 93 supported on one of the uprights of the frame 41, y

The arms 9| pass through grooves 94 in the pulley 42, which grooves 94 are located between the grooves 40 which accommodate the three sections of the belt 9, and the curvature of the arms 9| is such that` the upper surfaces of the arms 9| are flush with the upper surfaces of the belts 9, the relationship being suchthat the lcombined web leavin the belt il progresses forward smoothly supported by the upper surfaces of the arms 9| and the upper and outer surfaces of the plate 90. The configuration of the trough-shaped plate on the shaft 18. The pulley I2 is connected to be embodied within the scope of the claims hereinafter made.

We claim: I

y1. In amachine for folding, combining and severing tissue napkins and the like, a supporting lframe, a plurality of reeled tissue webs carried by said frame, means for simultaneously withdrawing and superposing said webs from the reels, means for folding the individual webs being thus withdrawn, an endless belt conveyor for supporting the superposed folded webs, and `means including an intermittently operable shearing device associated with said conveyor and adapted to seversaid superposed Webs at timed intervals.

2. In a machine for folding, combining and severing tissue napkins and the like, a supporting frame, a plurality of reeled tissue webs carried by said frame, means for simultaneously withdrawing and superposing said webs from the reels, means for folding the individual webs being thus withdrawn prior to actual superposition thereof, an endless belt conveyor for supporting the superposed folded webs, and means including an intermittently operable shearing device associated with said conveyor and adapted to sever said superposed webs at timed intervals..

3. In a machine for folding, combining and 90 is such that it forms a support for the comc bined web at the moment it is traversed by the shear blade I I, but does not come in contact with i or obstruct the action of the blade II.

It will be apparent from the above that the number of individual webs which are folded and assembled to form the combined web is limited only by considerations of space and convenience. Any number of rolls I, conveyors 3 and folders 2 may be provided as desired, and the rolls I may be Wound singly or doubly as desired. In the case of facial tissues it is common to supply rolls I which are wound double so that the individual webs fed to the conveyors 3 and the folders I each actually` comprises two ply of material.

The various webs after being folded are thus assembled to form a combined web which then passes forward to the curved plate 1 with continuous uniform motion. The combined web leaves the plate 'I to enter the grip of the intermittently moving belts 8 and 9 and thenceforth I progresses in a series of intermittent motions, the

length of which is adjusted in accordance with the desired length of the severed napkins or tissues. Each time the motion of the combined web is arrested, the shear blade H traverses the combined web', thus severing the web into short lengths, each of which comprises a bundle of finished napkins suchras that illustrated in Fig. 9. These units then move forward on the con- -veyor I2 and the table I3 and are received and packaged by van operator. i

By the use of our invention it is possible to accomplish the manufacture of paper napkins and folded facial tissues automatically at a higher rate of speed than has heretofore been possible and without injury to the delicate material of which the napkins or tissues are made.

It will be obvious to thosey skilled in `the art `that the apparatus illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification by way of illustrative example may be considerably altered in detail without departing from our invention, and

frame, a plurality of reeled tissue webs carried by said frame, means for simultaneously withdrawing and superposing said webs from the reels, means for folding the outer edge portionsof the individual lwebs being thus withdrawn inwardly over the central portions thereof, an endless belt conveyor for supporting the superposed folded webs, and means including an intermittently operable shearing device associated withy said conveyor and adapted to sever said superposed foldked Webs at timed intervals.

4. Apparatus for folding, combining and severing 'napkinsand the like, which comprises, in combination, an assembling conveyor adapted to move continuously, means for superimposing a plurality of foldedfwebs of material on said assembling conveyor, wan intermittent conveyor adapted to receive said webs and to advance said webs in a series of intermittent forward movements, and a shearing device adapted to sever said webs transversely at eachl interval between successive forward movements of said intermittent conveyor.

5. Apparatus for folding. kcombining and severing napkins and the like, which comprises, in combination, an assembling conveyor adapted to move continuously, means for'superimposlng a pluralityof folded webs of material on said assembling conveyor, an intermittent conveyor adapted to receive said Webs and to advance said webs in a series of intermittent forward movements, a. support for said Webs localted between said assembling conveyor and said intermittent conveyor and adapted to support that portion of said webs lying between said conveyors during the intervals between successive forward movements of said intermittent conveyor, and a. shearing device adaptedto traverse and sever said Webs at each interval between successive forward movements of said intermittent conveyor.

6. Apparatus for folding, combining and severing napkins and the like, which comprises, in

combination, an assembling conveyor adapted to move continuously, means for successively feeding a plurality of folded webs of material to said assembling conveyor, an intermittent. conveyor adapted to receive said webs and to advance said web; in s series' of intermittent forward movements, a shearing device adapted to traverse and sever said webs at each interval between succesv sive forwardv movement of said intermittent conveyor and means for varying the relative speeds of said assembling conveyor and said intermittent conveyor.`

'7. Apparatus for folding, combining and severing napkins and the like, which comprises, in "combination, an assembling conveyor adapted to move continuously, means for successively feeding a plurality of folded webs of material to said assembling conveyor, a pair of intermittent conveyors located in series andvadapted to receive said webs and to advance said webs in a series of intermittent forward movements, a shearing blade located between said intermittent conveyors' and adapted to traverse and sever said webs at each interval between successive forward movements of said intermittent conveyors, and a support for said webs located opposite said shearing blade and having a recess adapted toreceive a portion of said bladeA at the moment of severing.

ames

8. In apparatus for forming napkins and the..

like, in combination, a conveyor adapted to move intermittently, means for feeding a plurality of folded webs of material to said conveyor, a second intermittent conveyor adapted to receive said webs from said first-namedl conveyor and to advance said webs, a rotating shear blade located 30 between said conveyors, and means for causing said shear blade to traverse and sever said webs at each interval betweenI successive forward movements of said conveyors.

9. In apparatus for folding and combining napkins and the like, in combination, a main belt conveyor adapted to move continuously, and means for successively feeding a plurality of folded webs of material to said continuous conveyor, said means comprising a plurality of feeding belt conveyors located in series along axes inclined toward the axis of said main belt conveyor and moving in synchronism therewith, said forming plate adjacent each of said feeding confeeding belt conveyors being adapted to draw webs of material from a corresponding plurality of rolls of said material and to advance said webs -successively onto. said main belt conveyor, a

veyors. and folding plates cooperating with each of said forming plates and adapted to fold the outer sides of said webs inward during their progress toward said main belt conveyor.

10. In apparatus for severing napkins, or the like, a moving belt, a plurality of spaced belts located adjacent and opposite to said belt and adapted to cooperate with said belt to advance a plurality o f Webs of napkin material, a roller havlng a plurality of belt grooves adapted to receive.

said plurality of belts and a groove located intermediate said belt grooves, anda supporting plate for said webs extending beyond said belts and having an arm passing through said intermediate groove to a point of support, the upper surface of said arm and said plate being substantially flush with the upper surface of said plurality of belts.

11. Apparatus for folding and combining nap kins and the like, which comprises in combination, an assembling, substantially horizontal, belt conveyor, a plurality of inclined conveyors each adapted to deliver a web to said assembling conveyor, and means adjacent said inclined conveyors to hold said webs longitudinally.

12. Apparatus for folding and combining napkins and the like comprising, a substantially horizontal belt conveyor, a plurality of inclined belt conveyors adjacent thereto each adapted to deliver napkin material to said horizontal conveyor,

said inclined belt conveyors ending ata distance above said horizontal conveyor, anda plurality of free rollers of larger diameter than the minimum distance between said conveyors'each positioned in oneof the acute angles formed by said conveyors.

yJOHN EDWARD BLOSSER. PAUL BURKE. 

